Dancing toy.



No. 880,933. v PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908.

R- J. TANNE R.- DANCING TOY.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5,1907

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m: NoRRrs PETERS co., WASHINGMJN o. c

rrrcn RICHARD J. TANNER, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

DANCING TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 3, 1908.

Application filed April 5, 1907. Serial No. 366,536.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD J TANNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster, State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dancing Toys; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has relation to amusement toys that comprise figures representing a person with jointed arms and legs and so supported as that they may be caused to dance and assume grotesque attitudes.

It is the purpose of the invention to combine with a dancing toy devices or means that will turn back or produce musical sounds as the result of the dancing operation.

The nature of the invention is fully and clearly ascertainable from the device por trayed in the annexed drawing, forming a art of this specification, in view of which it will first be described with respect to its construction and mode of use and then be pointed out in the subjoined claims.

The drawing is a perspective view of my improvements complete; and in the said drawing A designates the dancing figure, pro vided with jointed arms a and similar legs b.

C designates a resonant rim within which near the top is stretched a piece of elastic material forming a head to the said resonant rim 0.

D designates resonant standards that may be composed of fine resilient steel, rigidly secured at their bases to the rim C and extending up from opposite sides thereof.

E designates a catgut, that may, stance, be the E string of a violin, which string is stretched between the tops of the resonant standards, passing through the body of the figure A at its central portion or part. The string E is stretched quitetightly and is arranged so that the feet 0 of the figure for inwill just touch the head B when in normal position.

With the parts constructed and arranged as stated, by striking the string with a leadpencil or small stick, the string is caused to vibrate, which will set up a like action in the figure A, and the feet striking on the head B will operate to vibrate and sound the latter, and the vibrations and sounds will be communicated to the resonant standards D, so that the combined dancing and grotesque posturing of the figure and the united and harmonious sounds of the catgut or string, the head B and resonant standards will produce a most pleasing effect.

The string can be tightened so as to effect a different pitch in its sound, and the same is true of the head B.

WVith a little experience the operator can cause the figure to simulate any fancy dancing or steps, such, for example, as jigs, clogs, reels, and buck and wing dancing. At the same time the feet of the figure will play upon the head B and imitate the roll of a snare-drum, or time marching, and the string and resonant standards, as before said will turn back sounds in harmony with that produced by the feet of the figure on the drum-head.

What is claimed is A dancing toy consisting of a base comprising a resonant rim having a head composed of a sheet of elastic material stretched within the same, adancing figure, resonant standards connected with opposite sides of the rim, and a catgut stretched between the upper portions of the standards and passing through the body of the figure to support the same with the feet thereof barely touching the head.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD J. TANNER.

VVitnesse's:

EDWARD A. CHURCH, Mrs. DON O. DESPAIN. 

